versenkt

Versenkt is the past participle of the German verb versenken, meaning to sink or submerge something, especially a vessel, into water. It denotes that the object has been sunk, usually as a result of action by force or circumstance.

Etymology and form: Versenken combines the prefix ver- with senken, “to lower” or “to sink.” The form versenkt is used in compound tenses with haben (Ich habe das Boot versenkt) and in passive constructions (Das Boot wurde versenkt). It can also function as an adjective in attributive position (das versenkte Boot) or predicative position (Das Boot ist versenkt).

Usage notes: The term primarily applies to ships, boats, or other objects deliberately or accidently lowered into water. In non-nautical contexts it can be used metaphorically to indicate ruin or ruinous losses. It is distinct from versinken, whose past participle is versunken and which emphasizes the process of sinking or having already disappeared below the surface.

Cultural references: In German, the board game Schiffe versenken is known as Battleship; players aim to sink the opponent’s ships. The exclamation Versenkt! is commonly used within the game to signal that a ship has been sunk, echoing everyday usage where an object has been successfully brought to the bottom.

See also: versinken, versunken, untergehen, Schiff, Boot.